Tortuga
Photography by Lily Cruse
COUNTRY MUSIC BY THE OCEAN—WHAT COULD BE BETTER? TORTUGA 2025 PROMISES SUN, SAND, AND UNFORGETTABLE SOUND.
Tortuga Music Festival returned to Fort Lauderdale Beach from April 4 through 6, bringing country music superstars, rising artists, and performers from across multiple genres to Florida’s Atlantic coastline. With Jelly Roll, Keith Urban, and Luke Combs headlining across the three days, the festival featured a lineup that included Megan Moroney, Shaboozey, Parker McCollum, Jordan Davis, Ludacris, Avery Anna, and more. Set against the oceanfront backdrop, Tortuga combined live music with the unmistakable atmosphere of a South Florida beach weekend.
Friday opened with a lineup led by Jelly Roll, whose blend of country, rock, and hip-hop has established him as one of modern music’s most recognizable crossover artists. The day also featured Ludacris, Parker McCollum, Gary Allan, Marcus King, Gavin DeGraw, John Morgan, and more. McCollum brought his contemporary country sound to the beach, while Allan delivered the traditional country influences that have defined his career. Marcus King added blues-driven Southern rock, and Gavin DeGraw introduced a pop-rock element to the day’s performances. Ludacris brought hip-hop to the lineup, highlighting the festival’s range of musical styles. As Friday’s headliner, Jelly Roll capped off the day with his emotionally charged sound, bringing together country storytelling, rock intensity, and hip-hop influences for a powerful opening-night performance.
April 4th
Jelly Roll headlined Friday night at Tortuga Music Festival, bringing his signature blend of country, rock, and hip-hop to the sands of Fort Lauderdale Beach. His set featured standout tracks like “Need a Favor,” “Son of a Sinner,” and “Save Me,” highlighting the contrast between his hard-hitting delivery and the vulnerability woven throughout his songwriting. Each song offered a different glimpse into his artistry, from the gritty intensity of his country-rock sound to the deeply personal themes that have resonated with listeners throughout his career. With a commanding stage presence and an ability to connect with fans through raw, unfiltered storytelling, Jelly Roll delivered a performance that captured the spirit of his music while giving Friday’s crowd a memorable headlining moment by the Atlantic shoreline.
Ludacris brought a dose of hip-hop nostalgia and high-energy showmanship to Tortuga Music Festival, adding a different sound to Friday’s lineup along Fort Lauderdale Beach. The Grammy-winning rapper energized the crowd with his commanding delivery and infectious stage presence, celebrating a catalog that has helped shape mainstream hip-hop. His appearance offered a lively contrast to the festival’s country-focused performances, bringing a distinct musical style to the beachfront stage and showcasing the range of artists featured throughout the weekend. Ludacris’ performance added a celebratory edge to Friday’s programming, connecting fans through the familiar sound and enduring influence of his music.
Parker McCollum brought his signature Texas sound to Tortuga Music Festival, delivering a performance that balanced energetic guitar work with heartfelt storytelling along Fort Lauderdale Beach. His set drew from a catalog of fan favorites, including “Pretty Heart,” “Hell of a Year,” and “Burn It Down,” showcasing his ability to move between emotionally charged ballads and upbeat, guitar-driven anthems. Tracks like “Handle on You” highlighted his distinctive vocals and knack for capturing complicated relationships through honest songwriting. With a confident stage presence and a sound rooted in his Texas upbringing, McCollum offered a compelling performance against the Atlantic Ocean backdrop, adding a mix of grit and emotional depth to Friday’s lineup.
April 5th
Sunday’s lineup at Railbird Festival brought another full day of live music to The Infield at The Red Mile, led by headliner Jelly Roll. The day featured performances from Riley Green, The Red Clay Strays, Treaty Oak Revival, Ole 60, The Castellows, Gavin Adcock, and more, showcasing a wide range of sounds across contemporary country, Southern rock, and Americana. From Riley Green’s traditional country influences to The Red Clay Strays’ soulful sound and Treaty Oak Revival’s rock-driven energy, Sunday’s performances highlighted the diversity of the festival’s lineup. With Jelly Roll closing out the day, the festival’s second day delivered a mix of established favorites and rising artists that kept the energy high throughout the weekend.
Keith Urban headlined Saturday night at Tortuga Music Festival, bringing his electrifying musicianship and arena-ready sound to Fort Lauderdale Beach. Known for his dynamic guitar work, polished vocals, and ability to blend country with pop and rock influences, Urban delivered a performance that showcased the versatility behind his decades-long career. His catalog of hits, including “Somebody Like You,” “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” and “Days Go By,” reflects his ability to pair infectious melodies with heartfelt storytelling and high-energy arrangements. With his guitar taking center stage throughout his performance, Urban brought an unmistakable live intensity to the beachfront setting, connecting with the crowd through a sound that moves effortlessly between soaring anthems and more intimate moments. His Saturday night headlining appearance added a major highlight to Tortuga’s weekend, pairing his signature showmanship with the atmosphere of live music along the Atlantic coast.
Jordan Davis brought his polished vocals and relatable songwriting to Tortuga Music Festival, delivering a Saturday performance that blended romantic ballads with upbeat, radio-ready hits. The Louisiana-born singer has built a strong presence in contemporary country through songs that capture the complexities of relationships and everyday life, from the heartfelt sentiment of “Next Thing You Know” to the infectious energy of “Buy Dirt” and “Singles You Up.” His ability to balance emotional storytelling with catchy melodies gave his set a natural flow, offering moments for the crowd to sing along while showcasing the versatility of his catalog. With Fort Lauderdale Beach providing the backdrop, Davis delivered a performance that paired his easygoing stage presence with the familiar songs that have helped define his career.
Shaboozey brought a distinctive presence to Tortuga Music Festival, turning the Fort Lauderdale Beach stage into a showcase of his unconventional approach to modern music. Drawing from country, hip-hop, and pop, his sound challenges traditional genre boundaries while maintaining a strong sense of storytelling. The success of “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” introduced his music to an expansive audience, but his artistry extends beyond one breakout hit, with songs that explore personal growth, uncertainty, and the realities of everyday life. His Saturday appearance offered a different musical texture within Tortuga’s lineup, pairing contemporary production with country-inspired influences in a setting shaped by the energy of the beachfront crowd.
April 6th
Sunday brought the final day of Tortuga Music Festival to Fort Lauderdale Beach, with Luke Combs headlining the weekend’s closing lineup. The day featured performances from Megan Moroney, Chase Rice, Riley Green, Ashley Cooke, Dylan Scott, Max McNown, Lauren Watkins, and more. With a mix of established names and rising artists, Sunday’s schedule offered another full day of live music along Florida’s Atlantic coastline, bringing the three-day festival to a close with a lineup rooted in contemporary country and Southern influences.
Luke Combs closed out Tortuga Music Festival as Sunday night’s headliner, bringing his powerhouse vocals and unmistakable sound to the Fort Lauderdale Beach stage for the weekend’s final performance. With a catalog built around honest storytelling, blue-collar themes, and songs that resonate across generations, Combs delivered the kind of commanding set that has made him one of country music’s biggest names. Fan favorites like “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” “When It Rains It Pours,” and “Fast Car” showcase his ability to move between rowdy singalongs and more reflective moments, balancing high-energy performances with the emotional depth of his songwriting. Against the Atlantic Ocean backdrop, Combs brought the festival to a fitting conclusion, uniting the crowd through a set that celebrated his signature sound and capped off three days of live music on the Florida coast.
Megan Moroney brought her signature blend of sharp songwriting, polished vocals, and modern country charm to Tortuga Music Festival, delivering a Sunday performance that balanced heartbreak with a confident, playful edge. Known for turning personal experiences into relatable stories, Moroney has quickly established herself as one of the genre’s standout rising artists. Songs like “Tennessee Orange,” “I’m Not Pretty,” and “Am I Okay?” showcase her ability to pair catchy melodies with lyrics that explore love, jealousy, and self-discovery. Her performance at Fort Lauderdale Beach offered a compelling mix of emotional vulnerability and upbeat energy, connecting with fans through the honesty and personality that have become hallmarks of her music. Against the coastal backdrop, Moroney added a memorable moment to Sunday’s lineup, highlighting the growing influence of female voices in contemporary country music.
Beyond the Music
Tortuga Music Festival’s sponsors contributed to the event through branded experiences, beverage offerings, onsite services, and dedicated performance spaces. Corona, Patrón, Jim Beam, and BeatBox supported the festival’s beverage experience, while Bacardi presented the Next From Nashville stage, providing a platform for emerging artists. chargeFUZE supplied mobile charging stations to help attendees keep their devices powered throughout the day, and Sunbelt Rentals supported the event’s operational needs. Xyzal, CW, Discover FTL Beach, and Florida Health were also among the festival’s partners, contributing to its broader network of lifestyle, tourism, health, and promotional initiatives. Together, these partnerships helped support the festival’s operations and attendee experience while connecting participating brands with the audience.
Environmental conservation remained a defining part of Tortuga through its partnership with the Rock The Ocean Foundation, which uses the festival as a platform to increase awareness of marine conservation. The foundation’s Conservation Village brought together conservation organizations and educational exhibits, giving attendees opportunities to learn about threats facing ocean ecosystems and ways to support protection efforts. Rock The Ocean also connects the festival experience with its broader mission of supporting ocean conservation through education, advocacy, and fundraising. Reverb contributed to the festival’s sustainability efforts, helping advance environmentally responsible practices and reduce the event’s environmental footprint. These initiatives reinforced Tortuga’s connection to the surrounding coastal environment, making ocean awareness and sustainability important elements of the festival beyond its musical performances.
